Hey Sweet Things! I’m putting this post up an evening early so I don’t have to be up and working at 7:00 AM on a Saturday morning off. Smiling. Thank you for understanding! Don’t stress if the comments aren’t moderated right away. We take it a little slower on weekends so nobody’s working nonstop.
I wish I had a way to add some great celebratory music to this post. You are officially halfway! Doesn’t that feel fabulous? Oh, come on, now. Let yourself feel it. Great job, Sisters! It’s not easy. We know we can do the second half because we have already done the first.  And we’ll do this next half exactly the same way: through the unction of the Holy Spirit. Just keep choosing Scriptures that are speaking to you in your exact season and need and they’ll come alive in the marrow of your bones.
I feel like I’ve been talking to you all day because I think of you while writing the lessons for the Bible study underway. We have hashed some things out in the Scriptures today, Sister. You just couldn’t hear them. I’ll just be glad when some of you are sitting on the other side of that page talking back. When I was at the taping for Children of the Day in May, we explained to the group that it would be a whole calendar year before the study comes out. The process takes a long time, especially because it involves both written work and video. We also have to dodge around a travel schedule that is set in calendar-stone a good bit in advance. But, in the twinkling of an eye, another month has already passed. The very last of the manuscript is due in December so you’ll not waste a prayer on me between now and then. I don’t get to write every week because I am on the road more often this time of year so each day I get to sit with my Bible open to 1st and 2nd Thessalonians is a gift. And a brain cracker at times.
You and I have plenty to do before next May, however! I so hope many of you are doing the Gideon Bible study this summer with us that our gifted sister, Priscilla Shirer wrote. It’s tremendously powerful. I saw one of you give her a shout-out today on Twitter with the hashtag #Siestaville at the end of it. It made me so happy. God has graced us with such anointed messengers at this hour in the Body of Christ, men and women alike. Hasn’t He? It has been my privilege to study under a number of them with you and to hear about many others from you. Our discipleship worlds are so much bigger when we’re willing to come together. Otherwise, we sit tight in all our own little corners and have no idea how many people God has gifted to serve the Body. We cheat ourselves when we separate ourselves.
OK, Sisters, are you ready to log in your 12th verses? I’m choosing mine from a sermon Curtis’s good friend, Jerrell Altic, brought in Curtis’s absence last Sunday at our church. His primary text was Mark 1 but he tied in a verse that really jumped out at me. I love the Book of Philemon and have taught out of it several times in the last two years but that’s the beauty of living words. A Scripture will suddenly pop off the page that had somehow been veiled from our recognition before. I’d been so taken with phrases like “yet for love’s sake” in verse 9 that I’d missed the treasure of V.6, and who couldn’t get distracted by a verse like the 15th? “For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever.” I bet some of you have a pretty slack-jawing testimony of that very concept under your own roof.
But when Jerrell referenced this verse, I knew it was my choice for our 12th round of SSMT. In fact, don’t tell but I jotted it immediately on the yellow notes app of my iPhone, took a screen shot and made it my screen saver right then. Sometimes a “now” word is like RIGHT NOW. Here it goes:
Beth, Houston. “I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ.” Philemon 1:6 The NET Bible
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I want God to deepen my understanding of every blessing that belongs to me in Christ while I’m here plowing into some stubborn earthly soil with sweat sopping my forehead. Don’t you? I’m so thankful to be blessed but wouldn’t fleshing it out be a whole different prospect if we came to understand the depth and breadth of many of those blessings? To stand on them, act on them, pray from them, teach from them, love from them, and serve through them? Now we’re talking.
Colossians 2:2-3 gives a glimpse into the grandeur involved as the Apostle Paul prays “that their (and our) hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Look at that again: “the riches of full assurance of understanding.” We can’t soon wrap our minds around all that encompasses but we can instantly and actively start praying for God to deepen our understanding of the blessings that belongs to us in the One who embodies every divine and hidden treasure.
I’m making these prayers mine and I am looking for God to answer them. He wouldn’t dictate a prayer right there on the pages of the New Testament that He had no intention of responding to.
I love working through some verses and concepts with you, Sisters. You are so dear to me. Thank you for spending a little time around here and committing to something challenging in the midst of many priorities. I pray that every part of your life is invaded by the Word of God coursing through your brain. May God bring your harvest forth 100-fold.
It’s your turn, Sisters! Give me a hint about what Christ is doing in you right now through the selections of your verses. You are so loved.
Tags: Scripture Memory 2013
Lynchburg, VA.
Matthew 7:11 (English Standard Version)
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Plano, TX
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
Ellie Richardson – Newton, Iowa
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of thee.
Matthwev18:28 KJV
Joshua 1:7 NIV
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go!
Dawn – Pampa, TX
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits & in His word I hope.
Psalm 130:5
Jen, Katy, TX
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Cor. 4:2
Miriam from Granby, CT
Luke 12:31 (ESV)
Instead, seek his kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.
Deborah, Katy, TX
Deuteronomy 6:23 (NIV)
“And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give our fathers.”
Amanda, Katy, TX
Deuteronomy 6:23 (NIV)
“And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give our fathers.”
Cyndi, Katy, TX
Deuteronomy 6:23 (NIV)
“And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give our fathers.”
Kara, Houston, TX
Deuteronomy 6:23 (NIV)
“And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give our fathers.”
Allison, Katy, TX
Deuteronomy 6:23 (NIV)
“And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give our fathers.”
Tiffany, Katy, TX
Deuteronomy 6:23 (NIV)
“And He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in and give us the land that He swore to give our fathers.”
“I waited patiently for the Lord and he turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought m up from a desolate pit out of the muddy clat and set myt feet on a rock making my steps secure.”
Psalms 40:1-2 NIV
Sue, Standish, ME
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)
Psalm 136:26 (NIV)
Give thanks to the God of heaven for his steadfast love endures forever
Deb, Littleton, CO: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
James 1:17 NKJV
Trust in The Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
Prov 3:5-6′ NIV
Worcester, England,UK
Isaiah 40:29 NIV
[29] He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
krystal ward
teague, tx
“because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Mindy B, Gloster, LA
We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:7 NIV
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, thought the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stall, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. will be joyful in God my Savior!
Sharron
Hartselle, Al
Lori S from Elgin, TX (now College Station, TX)
Psalm 95:5 (NIV)
“The sea is his, for he made it,
And his hands formed the dry land.”
Mimi from Alpharetta, GA
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 NIV
Mimi from Alpharetta, GA
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 NIV
Jen B., Gaithersburg, MD
“Teach me Your ways,O Lord, that I may live according to Your truth!” Psalm 86:11 NLT
Sarah Sykes, Arkadelphia, AR
Psalms 84:2 (ESV)
My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
JamieB
Corbin,ky
James 1:2 ESV
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
Karen from Woodstock Ontario
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Heb 13 8 NIV
Monica Pribe, Blacklick OH ” But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” Isaiah 43:1 ESV
A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back
Proverbs 29:11
“It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].”
1 Corinthians 13:5, Amplified
Matia, Fort Worth
“Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.” Psalm 24:8 NKJV
Joni, Port Neches. “Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?” James 2:21 NIV84
Mandy
Waco, TX
As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed–the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.
Romans 4:17 (NIV)
Mary
Woodway, Texas
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8
Ashley, Kingwood
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear The Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV
Sarah, McKinney, TX, NIV “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always persevers. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:7,8
Deb, Littleton,CO: “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” James 1:18 NKJV
Cathy, Jackman, ME : NLT “1 Cor. 13: 4-7 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5) or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6) It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7) Love never gives up, never looses faith, is aways hopeful and endures through every circumstance.”
Kim, Littlestown PA. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NKJ)
June 15 – 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Georgine East
Austin, TX
Sarah Cox from Jay, Ok’
“Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless;”
I Corinth 4:11 (HCSB)
Shannon Houston, TX
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
Deb, Littleton, CO: ” So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear but slow to speak, slow to wrath;” James 1:19 NKJV
Melissa J – Houston, TX
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
Then Jesus came to them and said. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefor go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on a tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
Selina, Aberdeen. “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”. Joshua 1:9 KJV
Stacy, Greenfield, Indiana “Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight”1 Peter 3:4 NIV
Tina, Houston,TX
I will sing to the Lord because He has treated me generously. Psalm 13: 6 (NIV)